Fears grip customers as hackers allegedly takes over GT Bank website

Suspected cybercriminals have compromised the domain address of Nigeria’s banking giant GTBank, rendering the website inaccessible since Wednesday night, according to multiple reports. 

The breach comes just a day after the domain name was renewed for another five years, from August 13, 2024, to March 21, 2029, according to various online domain analysis platforms.

As of now, no group of hackers has claimed responsibility for the attack, which appears to have begun on August 14.

GTBank has yet to release an official statement, and a spokesperson for the bank did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

The attackers seem to have created an additional HTTP layer of the website, likely in an attempt to steal customers’ data through phishing.

A cybersecurity expert familiar with the Nigerian banking sector suggested that the bank’s login credentials might have been compromised, rather than the domain being stolen outright for resale.

Frustration is already mounting among GTBank customers, who have taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express their inability to access the website for transactions. GTBank representatives on X have urged customers to be patient and directed them to alternative channels for assistance.

Fortunately, the bank’s mobile applications on Android and iOS have not been affected by the breach and remain operational.

GTBank, one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions, serves millions of customers both within the country and across other African nations.

The incident highlights the growing risks of cyberattacks on financial institutions and the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

Credit: Daily Trust